>> reporter: it all started collegiately at uc berkeley. two-sport star in football and basketball, 1995 through 1997. >> it's not a major drop-off. he's a genetic freak. i don't know. something like a vernon davis of the world. >> i can still play this game. no doubt about it. i could still play this game for another three years, i think if i wanted to, at a high level, too. >> reporter: at age 36, he says his retirement odds are at 95%. but he hasn't slowed down. he came within 70 yards of his fifth 1000-yard season. and at crunch time, gonzalez has always been an offensive threat. just ask the quarterback. >> well, he talked about this 95% sure. i tell him all the time i'm convinced of the other 5%. i think he can continue to play. >> i've gotten everything i ever wanted from this game. only reason i've been playing for the last couple years, to tell you the truth, is for an opportunity like this. now that it's presented, i feel some closure coming in. and i still got more closure to take care of. >> reporter: gonzalez, certainly fired u